The optimist in me is calling it — there is a chance to cleanse the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) despite all the troubling revelations made in the past months. At the moment, the DPWH, led by Secretary Vince Dizon, still finds itself at the delicate intersection of governance reform and climate urgency. What it does in the next budget cycle may determine not only the success of its infrastructure programs but also the credibility of the current administration.

The recent earth-shaking changes in the Cabinet underscore the seriousness of this moment. The resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman signal that the administration is attempting a “cleansing” of its ranks. Even the BIR commissioner was swept up in the shakeup, a reminder that no agency is safe despite record-breaking fiscal collection targets being met.

With three years left, it is not too late for the administration to regain trust, stabilize its political footing and if it is part of their plan, approach the next elections with credibility. But the odds are steep. Continuous rallies by labor groups, transport sectors and even religious organizations reflect a level of discontent that cannot be brushed aside. Only genuine change can avert escalating political turmoil.

DPWH’s own challenges mirror this national mood. Controversies in flood-control spending have exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in procurement, monitoring, and project validation. If the administration is serious about reform, then DPWH must be one of the first agencies to demonstrate it. The public deserves not just online postings of procurement documents or livestreamed bidding processes. The public demands complete visibility on how contractors are selected, how cost estimates are evaluated and how red flags are addressed.

As I previously wrote in my column, former DPWH secretary Babes Singson emphasized that flooding is fundamentally a water-management problem, not simply an engineering deficit. This perspective should guide the agency’s planning for 2026. Interconnected drainage systems, catchment basins based on real rainfall data and unblocked waterways matter more than merely pouring concrete. With climate change intensifying rainfall events, DPWH must shift its mindset from building more and bigger to building smarter.

This brings us to manpower and technology. While some argue that DPWH needs more inspectors and engineers, what the agency truly needs is modernized systems. Adding bodies without fixing processes only multiplies inefficiencies. Digital tools — geotagged site inspections, real-time project monitoring, automated red-flag systems — can significantly strengthen accountability and will be handy in disaster recovery and for insurance later on.

Recently, momentum has built around applying blockchain to government procurement. Senate hearings under Senator Bam Aquino explored how immutable digital records could reduce corruption. The concept should be pushed and continued. Whether through blockchain or digital registries, transparency must be rebuilt on systems that prevent manipulation.

DPWH stands at a turning point. If it embraces reform, it can restore public trust and save lives through smarter flood control. If not, the political storm brewing outside its halls may be far more damaging than any typhoon.

For comments, email darren.dejesus@gmail.com